Lukas 2:32

2:32 a light, ¹ 

for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory ²  to your people Israel.”

Lukas 21:24-25

21:24 They ³  will fall by the edge ⁴  of the sword and be led away as captives ⁵  among all nations. Jerusalem ⁶  will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. ⁷ 

The Arrival of the Son of Man

21:25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, ⁸  and on the earth nations will be in distress, ⁹  anxious ¹⁰  over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves.

Lukas 22:25

22:25 So ¹¹  Jesus ¹²  said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ ¹³ 

[2:32]  ¹ tn The syntax of this verse is disputed. Most read “light” and “glory” in parallelism, so Jesus is a light for revelation to the Gentiles and is glory to the people for Israel. Others see “light” (1:78-79) as a summary, while “revelation” and “glory” are parallel, so Jesus is light for all, but is revelation for the Gentiles and glory for Israel. Both readings make good sense and either could be correct, but Luke 1:78-79 and Acts 26:22-23 slightly favor this second option.

[2:32]  ² sn In other words, Jesus is a special cause for praise and honor (“glory”) for the nation.

[21:24]  ³ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[21:24]  ⁴ tn Grk “by the mouth of the sword” (an idiom for the edge of a sword).

[21:24]  ⁵ sn Here is the predicted judgment against the nation until the time of Gentile rule has passed: Its people will be led away as captives.

[21:24]  ⁶ tn Grk “And Jerusalem.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[21:24]  ⁷ sn Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled implies a time when Israel again has a central role in God’s plan.

[21:25]  ⁸ sn Signs in the sun and moon and stars are cosmic signs that turn our attention to the end and the Son of Man’s return for the righteous. OT imagery is present: See Isa 13:9-10; 24:18-20; 34:4; Ezek 32:7-8; Joel 2:1, 30-31; 3:15.

[21:25]  ⁹ tn Grk “distress of nations.”

[21:25]  ¹⁰ tn Or “in consternation” (L&N 32.9).

[22:25]  ¹¹ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the dispute among the apostles.

[22:25]  ¹² tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[22:25]  ¹³ sn The title ‘benefactor,’ highlighting grace and meaning something like “helper of the people,” was even given to tyrants (2 Macc 4:2; 3 Macc 3:19; Josephus, J. W. 3.9.8 [3.459]).